MAI ANIMAL HEALTH I ARTICLE in Cats and Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Monitoring by MAI Animal Health

Diabetes is a chronic disease that deprived of (fuel) that cancer, and even stress. can affect cats, dogs, and other they need for energy. In animals such as horses, and small response, the body starts mammals. Although this condition breaking down its own fats and Being able to accurately and cannot be cured, it can be proteins to use as an alternative successfully monitor for this managed successfully so that your fuel that can lead to a life- condition in the clinic and at home pet can live a comfortable life. threatening condition known as can be beneficial to the overall DKA (Diabetic ). care and well-being of the pet. Diabetes Mellitus, or “sugar • High sugar levels in the diabetes” is the type of diabetes Some of the symptoms associated bloodstream can damage seen most often in cats and dogs. organs. Without to convert with Diabetes in the early stages are: It is a metabolic disorder of the the glucose into fuel, it builds up pancreas that distributes the insulin • Excessive thirst. The pet may causing an abnormal blood hormone, which controls your pet’s empty the water bowl more chemistry that acts like a poison. ability to use glucose, a type of often. This eventually causes damage sugar that is a vital source of Increased urination. to the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood • This occurs energy needed by cells and vessels, and even nerves. because the body is trying to get organs to maintain normal body rid of the excess glucose through function. What is DKA (Ketoacidosis) and urination. why is it important? • Weight loss. This occurs because There are two types of Diabetes, the pet isn’t converting nutrients It is important to recognize that Insulin-deficient & Insulin-resistant from its food. (DKA), a Insulin-deficient diabetes requires complication of diabetes mellitus, Advanced signs of Diabetes: your pet to receive daily shots to is a severe metabolic disease that maintain normal body function often requires intensive treatment. • Loss of appetite because the pancreas cannot The earlier it is recognized the faster • Lack of energy produce enough insulin. and more efficient the pet can be triaged and treated in the clinical • Depressed attitude Insulin-resistant diabetes occurs setting. Recognition of the clinical • Vomiting when the pancreas is producing signs and definitive diagnosis insulin, but the pet’s body isn’t are critical for proper treatment. Monitoring and managing your utilizing the insulin as it should. This pets Diabetes causes the cells to not respond as DKA up to now has been diagnosed by using urine reagent strips. Now Although many cases of pet they should to insulin’s signal to pull diabetes can be challenging, this glucose into the necessary organs there are medical devices that can give an accurate, quantitative condition can be managed. The and cells to function properly. veterinarian will determine the best This type of diabetes occurs reading within seconds. This assists the veterinary staff in treating this treatment and disease management especially in older cats and dogs plan for the pet. In the initial stages, and obese pets. severe diabetic condition by detecting excessive and treatment of the disease may Whatever type of diabetes that your dangerous ketones within the involve frequent visits to the clinic blood stream. for testing, medication adjustments pet may have, the negative effects to diet, and home monitoring are twofold: Pets can present with DKA due to training to enable the pet owner to diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, keep their pet’s blood sugar • Muscles and organ cells are respiratory conditions(asthma), consistently regulated.

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